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By Susan L. Stern (Internet, USA) — Can you answer this question definitively – Do you know what SEO is? Turns out – 1 in 5 Americans – have heard of Search Engine Optimization, i.e., SEO…according to a survey by Matt Cutts, a senior software engineer at Google. In other words, that means 4 in 5 people – do not – know what SEO means. Cutts’ survey sample involved 1576 people, using Google Consumer Surveys, a new research service.

The survey found gender differences, too. The number of men and women who have heard of SEO stands apart. Interestingly, the research found that nearly 25% of men heard of SEO, with 16% of women aware of same.

What does that tell us Omaha internet marketers? “We need to inform the businesses we represent about the absolute necessity of having a regular SEO plan of action in place to build and maintain top search engine placement rank. That is, where your website or online directory listing appears on Google, Bing & Yahoo,” emphasizes Susan Stern, Stern PR™ Omaha.

– Click for FULL View – Courtesy of Google’s Matt Cutts

Omaha Internet Marketer Susan Stern Stern PR™ did her own informal, unscientific survey and found the same results as the Google Pro – that companies seem to be in the dark about SEO. “You can’t just have a website coded correctly to appear on the 1st page of Google. You have to constantly refresh the website content writing, the graphics (coupons), keywords, and take extra measures like write industry articles on your business blog, add website coupons or a news feed and have your SEO professional promote your online video commercial in mass monthly. On the latter note, Forbes Insight published in December 2010 found that 59% of senior executives prefer to watch video instead of reading text, if both are available on the same page,” notes Susan Stern, a Marketing Consultant in Omaha, Nebraska.

The fact that only 1 in 5 people, an estimated 20.4% of Americans have heard of SEO based on the Google study is astonishing. “Cause it’s something that every business needs to achieve website search engine success,” summarizes the Omaha Internet Marketer.

Additional Statistics. Website business owners must understand that SEO is a high stakes game that you must win. After all, if your company website sits in the top tier of search results, you may experience a big traffic and sales increase.

Another study was released in September 2011 by the Pew Internet & American Life Project that found that 58% of those surveyed search the internet for information before buying products and services, with most users only viewing the first page: Google, Bing and Yahoo search engines.

How do search engines determine which websites go where? A site’s position on Google, Bing & Yahoo is based on a mathematical formula, an algorithm, which give high rankings to sites coded correctly, packed with viable keywords and more. In terms of outsourcing your SEO, Marketing Consultant Susan Stern, Stern PR™ in Omaha offers suggestions.

With 4 out of 5 people unaware of what SEO is, that is a tell-tale sign that website business owners need to get educated on SEO, at least learn the basics, before you outsource these tasks to an internet marketing expert. When all is said and done, in today’s internet-driven technology age, regular, i.e. monthly search engine optimization is as essential as having a company website.

Pin the tail on the donkey. Can you hit the mark? A keen Omaha business owner knows website rank and look are equal to the brick-and-mortar image of business – on the ground. “Your website’s design, its search engine rank and user-friendly navigation are vital to online success. It’s important to connect with customers, build relationships while increasing online traffic and revenue,” emphasizesSusan Stern, Stern PR an Omaha Marketing Consultant.

Tip # 1. Your website must be found high, preferably on 1st page of Google, Bing and Yahoo. It’s called keyword local search relevance. The process of achieving the desirable page rank requires regular, monthly website content maintenance by a pro. A ‘Monthly SEO Plan’ is your best bet.

Tip # 2. Website design shouldn’t be too busy. A company website must be clean and modern, integrate appropriate widgets while offering quality navigation, descriptive copywriting and eye-catching graphics and video for aesthetics and SEO. Also. ‘Just Say No’ to all flash websites. Only flash headers (a home page banner) with text in body are effectively read by search engine algorithms. Finally, but not the end all, be all – website visitors must reach your business easily. Example: via contact form, email access, telephone number and so forth. It should never be difficult to contact your company right now!

Tip # 3. Marketing needs to be done right, not do-it-yourself. “Of course, to reach the pinnacle online Search Engine spot, you have to invest your marketing budget on either one of the following scenarios.

hire a full-time corporate communications expert at $40,000-$65,000 a year;

hire a high-dollar Advertising Marketing firm with high overhead and many faces;

do nothing & watch your website fall to 3rd & 4th Page on Google, Bing & Yahoo losing out on new business; OR

hire an Omaha marketer who knows all available marketing options.

The last option, outsourcing marketing, is the most affordable and highly effective solution. Take note, you will want someone who provides regular website content/social media writing, directory updates and more. The best thing to do is invest in a – Monthly SEO Plan,” states Susan Stern, Stern PR an Omaha SEO and copywriter professional.

Tip # 4. Ask your Omaha marketer to issue quarterly performance reports, and include research/analysis in the Monthly SEO Plan. Both are important to track the effectiveness of any SEO campaign.

Unique Advertising available in Print/Media and Internet – a variety of Publications

Eye-catching Traditional Creative Marketing

Newsworthy PR

“At Stern PR here in Omaha, my developer Austin and I pow wow with the client during a conference call to ascertain a company’s on & offline objectives. Then, in person I present a written quote, which includes a recommended course of action, strategy, the investment cost and project scope. A budgetary commitment to marketing is worth its wait in gold. I offer personalized service, image consistency and affordability” notes Susan Stern.

All in all. Step 1 – through 4 are must-have’s – necessary for online & offline marketing success aimed at connecting with customers, building relationships and boosting profits.

(Omaha, NE) — It’s an ethical dilemma. One obstacle an Omaha marketing firm faces is considering to take on clients that directly compete with another. “Recently, I have made the tough decision to turn down a potential business client because the company directly competed with an ongoing customer of mine,” states Susan Stern of Stern PR™Omaha. While Stern PR™, a marketing firm in Omaha, NE, does not sign non-compete agreements, in terms of ethics, Omaha Marketing Consultant Susan Stern feels a sense of loyalty to the clients she serves and prefers to keep them happy and not create waves.

“I have never faced this ethical issue before. Two clients who compete – simultaneously seek my Omaha marketing expertise. So, I gave the conundrum some thought. I weighed the pros and cons. Technically, if I were to take on both clients in the same business for website design & SEO work, the one who pays more for my search engine optimization services, for instance, would end up in a better spot on Google, Bing & Yahoo. In other words, the more financial investment a client commits increases the time I spend on the company’s SEO, the better their results. That doesn’t seem right,” notes Susan Stern, an up-and-coming marketing consultant in Omaha, Nebraska.

Omaha marketing consultant Susan Stern espouses strong business ethics. “I am a straight shooter. I am not going to sell you something your company does not need. As marketing consultant to your business, I will not pressure you either. I will always look out for your best interest,” says Susan.

(Omaha, NE) — One of an Omaha business owner’s least favorite tasks is dealing with – sales people. The myriad of them. Someone wants to hock a pricey print ad, and they pressure you. “If you don’t purchase this Ad, it will kill your business!”. An exact quote from one outfit in town. Another sales shark wears you down, with email, phone call and unannounced face-to-face visits, coaxing you to buy – this or that. It’s annoying & unsettling. Yeah. Sometimes you fall prey, just to get the sleazy salesperson out-of-the-way. Enough is enough. Run your business. Let Stern PR handle the rest.

“I am a tough cookie as your marketing rep. Yes, there are many professional sales people in Omaha. Many I call friends. But there are a few bad apples. No worries. I WON’T let them push me around, wear me out, or attempt to sell us unnecessary advertisements. I will do what’s right for your Omaha business. I am suspicious, but respectful. If someone crosses the line, which does happen from time to time, I will not waver my position. I represent YOUR Company’s Best Interest,” strongly emphasizes Omaha Marketing Representative Susan Stern.

With that said, I wish to thank the professional media or print reps that I dealt with in 2011: Chris Aherns at KETV, Paula Wilcher at Val Pak, Sandie Curtis at Omaha Classifieds, Stacey Penrod at Omaha Magazine, Kay Barnett at Lincoln Journal Star – were the most impressive Omaha/Lincoln sales representatives. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Stern PRhandles all tasks marketing on & offline. A two person Omaha marketing firm. This translates into personalized service & consistency. Affordability. Need a 2012 website Omaha Business Website? A corporate video? We do it all for your business. Website Copywriting. Graphic Design. Omaha SEO services. On & Offline Marketing. Stern PR.

By Susan L. Stern
(Opinion) — Carnival Corporation’s “make-good” offer to ship-wrecked passengers must be made under heavy influence of alcohol. The parent company of the Costa Concordia, which capsized off the Tuscany coast – is offering survivors of the January 13th ship wreck – a 30% discount on future cruises. What?

That “offer” is a kick in the pants to victims of the ship wreck. Insulting. Come on Carnival Corporation! Where is your brain? Did your P.R. firm come up with this one? Or, did executives at the top – do it themselves. Fire ’em. Talk about exasperating the crisis response.

Sure, survivors will reportedly receive 100% discounts on that cruise debacle, but that offer is a no brainer, too. It’s a given.

Carnival should have offered survivors a lump sum payment for pain and suffering, as a peace-offering, an apology. Instead, lawyers are pursuing a class action lawsuit for monetary compensation.

Bad, bad, bad Public Relations. The response is a major slap in the face to survivors, and makes Carnival Corporation appear as cold, profit mongers, who are only thinking about their company’s financial bottom line rather than the human tragedy’s impact on lives. Certainly Carnival should have done more, something monetarily worthwhile. Their 30% discount P.R. response here will certainly further damage the company’s reputation i.e. its near future profits. Not a smart move Carnival. You get what you give, as someone once said.